Magnetic Toy Construction Piece and Set

ABSTRACT

A magnetic toy construction piece and set for building lattice structures is disclosed. Magnetic pieces are rod-shaped and have magnets on their long faces. Magnets are color-coded depending on their polarity. Platform pieces for support and offset pieces are also contemplated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is toy construction sets. In particular, the invention relates to toy construction sets utilizing rods and magnets.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Children and adults enjoy building structures from basic building blocks. The LEGO™ and DUPLO™ are examples of popular construction toy building devices. These and standard blocks, however, do not utilize magnets to join blocks together.

Magnets provide an interesting and educational means of joining materials together. Magnets can be used to join building blocks together to create three-dimensional structures. Because magnetic attraction is intriguing and powerful, it is desirable to use magnets to facilitate construction. In addition, because magnetic attraction operates differently than mechanical joints, new and different structures can be built.

The prior art discloses building blocks with magnets that can be stacked. However, the prior art does not disclose rods and beams that can build a lattice structure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,625 to Longuet-Higgins describes a magnetic block shaped as a rhombohedron. U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,638 to Shiraishi describes a cubic block with rotatable bipolar magnets on the faces. U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,626 to Mendelsohn describes a magnetic block with bar magnets placed in parallel along four faces of a cube or rectangle, and magnets centered on a face. United States Patent Application Publication 2007/0037469 of Yoon describes a block with movable magnets for stacking blocks. These inventions all use blocks, such as cubes or rhombohedra, for construction. For a given height, width or length of a structure, a block will require more building material, which in turn necessitates more weight and construction pieces, which will limit the size a structure can achieve. In addition, the heavier structure requires stronger magnets to hold itself together. Stronger magnets are more expensive, and thus this drives up the cost of the toy construction set. Blocks also do not allow for the building of aesthetically pleasing lattice structures, which can be seen through.

In addition, the prior art discloses planar toy pieces that can be joined together using magnets to create a three-dimensional structure. But, again, these planar toy pieces are not capable of building aesthetically pleasing lattice structures. U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,021 to Ballard describes a flat square-shaped block set with rounded corners that can be joined together to build structures. U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,070 to Liu describes another planar block with apertures and connectors for building. U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,220 to Snelson also discloses a magnetic toy with flat pieces that are joined together to form structures. U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,624 to Daftari discloses a building set with planar panels and embedded magnets. Similar to block pieces, planar toy pieces consume more material for a given structure size. In addition, these planar toy pieces do not allow building of an aesthetically-pleasing lattice structure.

There are recent patents to magnetic construction sets that use rod-shaped pieces, but these sets require connectors for three-dimensional building. Furthermore, these art do not use two-dimensional cross-sections (triangular, rectangular, etc.) to facilitate novel and interesting building patterns. U.S. Pat. No. 6,566,992 to Vicentelli shows a magnetic construction set with cubic and spherical connector pieces. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,727 to Balanchi, U.S. Pat. No. 6,846,216 to Balanchi, U.S. Pat. No. 6,969,294 to Vicentelli, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,986 to Kowalski disclose magnetic construction toys using spherical connectors. Connector pieces are undesirable for several reasons. First, they are small and can be swallowed or choked upon, which is a safety hazard for small children. Second, they are additional pieces that can be lost, and once they are lost, the set becomes useless. Third, as an additional piece, a construction set is more expensive to manufacture with these extra pieces. To eliminate these drawbacks, it is desirable to invent a magnetic construction set capable of building lattice structures that does not require connectors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One goal of the present invention is to provide a magnetic toy building set that can build lattice structures. Another goal of the present invention is to be able to build in all three dimensions without the use of connectors. Another goal of the present invention is to provide a stable platform so that a lattice can reach high off the ground. Another goal of the present invention is to allow construction where rods are connected on their long faces, not just their ends. Yet another goal is to provide an invention that will assist children and adults in understanding magnetic fields. Another goal of the invention is to be easy to work with, so that children of young ages and adults with limited motor facility can use the invention.

The present invention is directed to a building set using three-dimensional rod-shaped pieces with magnets attached to the long faces of the rods. Magnets may also be attached to the ends of the rods. Magnets that are attached may be embedded in the face, or be stuck to the surface, or partially embedded.

The rods have a polygonal cross-section (e.g., triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, dodecagonal, etc.), and magnets are placed on the long faces of the rods. Magnets may also be placed at the ends of each rod. Different pieces can be held together when a magnet of one polarity on one piece aligns with a magnet of opposite polarity on another piece.

One or more platform pieces can also be used to support the structure. A platform may have a substantially flat shape for stability. The platform may have magnets embedded on it to connect to a rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates rectangular rods in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a structure built from rectangular rods in one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3 a-c illustrate platforms in embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b illustrate triangular rods in two embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an octagonal rod in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a structure built using rods of different magnet spacing.

FIG. 7 a illustrates a cubic offset in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 b shows an exploded view of a cubic offset in one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 8 a-b illustrate a structure built from rectangular rods, platforms, and cubic offsets in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a rectangular rod with rounded edges in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates different arrangements of polarities and magnetizable metal on a face of a rod.

FIGS. 11 a-e illustrate non-linear rod shapes.

FIG. 12 illustrates a support rod.

FIG. 13 a illustrates one embodiment of the invention with a box for housing rods, offsets, and platforms. FIG. 13 b illustrates another embodiment of the invention with a box for housing rods and platforms.

FIG. 14 a illustrates a rod in one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 14 b illustrates a structure built using rods with added offset connection points.

FIG. 15 a illustrates a rod in another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 15 b illustrates a structure built using rods with adjacent magnets mid-rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a rectangular rod in one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 a shows a rod 20. One long face has two magnets, one magnet 22 near one end of the rod, and a second magnet 24 near the opposite end of the rod. The long face magnets are spaced one unit apart. One unit can be 1-36 inches in length; the inventor has built a prototype with a unit of approximately 5⅝-inch.

FIG. 1 b shows another embodiment of a rod 30. One long face of this rod has three magnets, a magnet 32 near one end of the rod, a magnet 34 near the opposite end of the rod, and a magnet 36 near the middle of the rod. Each long face magnet is spaced one unit apart.

FIG. 1 c shows another embodiment of a rod 40. One long face of this rod has four magnets, a magnet 42 near one end of the rod, a magnet 44 near the opposite end of the rod, and two magnets 46 equally spaced between the other magnets.

In FIGS. 1 a-c, the spacing between magnets on a long side is the same for each rod shown. Each rod is rectangular in cross-section and may have magnets on all six faces of the rod, or only some of the faces. The length of the rod is much greater than the width or height of a cross-section. Each face has single polarity magnets facing outwards, with all magnets on one face of the rod of the same polarity. The inventor has found that an optimal arrangement of polarities on the long faces is N-N-S-S. This allows every long face to have a neighboring face of North polarity and a neighboring face of South polarity, providing the greatest variety and number of building options.

The polarity of magnets can be indicated by coloring. In one embodiment, the inventor has colored all magnets of one polarity orange, and all colors of the opposite polarity black. A connection is made by aligning an orange magnet with a black magnet. When coloring is used, a magnet may be colored in any possible manner. For example, the magnet may be painted. Or, the magnet may be covered with an adhesive or film or paper or any other covering that has a color. It is understood that other colors can be used to indicate polarity, or polarity could be indicated by texture (such as diagonal lines or checkerboard pattern). Alternative methods of indicating polarity, such as marking “N” or “S” to indicate “North” or “South” polarity are also contemplated.

A rod may be built of wood or plastic or foam or any appropriate firm material and may be hollow or solid. Magnets on the faces may be embedded or placed on the outside of a rod. Magnets can be held in place mechanically (e.g., in a slot), using adhesive (e.g., glue or cement), or using any other adhering means. It is optional to enclose the magnet area using plastic wrap, lamination or a cover to prevent a magnet from coming loose if the adhering means fails.

Magnets can be of any type and shape. The inventor used flat cylindrical magnets purchased from a nearby supply shop. The strength of magnetic connections should be strong enough to hold the structure together, but weak enough that children can separate the connection.

FIG. 2 illustrates a structure 50 built from rectangular rods under one embodiment of the invention. The alignment of opposite polarity magnets in the rods is sufficient to hold the structure together, without connectors. In addition, a rod or multiple rods can be placed on the floor to brace the structure, or rods can be placed vertically from the floor.

FIG. 3 a illustrates a platform 60 in one embodiment of the invention. The platform is flat with an X-shape, with magnets at the center of each X. One face of the platform has a North-polarity magnet 64 facing outward on a flat surface 62. The opposite face of the platform has a South-polarity magnet facing outward from its flat surface. This way the platform can be turned over to accommodate an opposite-polarity connection point.

FIG. 3 b illustrates a platform 70 that only provides a mechanical stability. The X-shape is the same, but the rod fits into a recess 72 at the center of the X for stability.

FIG. 3 c illustrates a platform 80 that is cube-shaped and has recesses into which rods can be placed. The vertical recess 82 allows for emplacement of a rod emanating vertically from the platform. It is readily understood that FIG. 3 c can be used to connect rods, in addition to providing a stable platform placed on the ground.

The invention is not limited to rectangular rods. FIG. 4 a illustrates a triangular rod 100. The rod shown has an equilateral triangle cross-section, which allows for building at 60 degrees and 120 degrees from other dimensions. FIG. 4 b illustrates an isosceles right triangular rod 110. Its cross-section allows for building at 45 and 135 degree angles.

FIG. 5 illustrates an octagonal rod 120. For non-rectangular cross-sectional rods, the arrangement of magnets on a face can follow a NNSS . . . NNSS . . . pattern or any other pattern desired. A triangular cross-section piece only has three long faces, so the options are NNN, NNS, NSS, and SSS for polarities on the long faces.

In addition, in one embodiment, magnets at some locations are replaced with magnetizable metal. The substitution of magnetizable metal allows that location to be attracted by any polarity magnet, and reduces construction cost. Magnetizable metal could replace all magnets on one face of a rod, or only some magnets on a face of a rod. FIG. 10 illustrates different arrangements of magnets of different polarities and magnetizable metal on faces of a rod with three magnets on a face.

A toy building set can include only one type of cross-section rod (e.g., all triangular or all rectangular) or it may include different cross-sections, such as rectangular and triangular, rectangular and octagonal, rectangular and octagonal and triangular, etc.

In a rectangular embodiment, the spacing of magnets is equal on all long faces of the invention. Equal spacing can be used in any other cross-sectional rod set, or in a set mixing rods of different cross-sections.

In addition, the spacing can be adjusted to align magnets for different building approaches. FIG. 6 illustrates a structure 130 constructed from rectangular rods with different spacing. Horizontal rod 134 and vertical rods 136 have equal spacing between long-face magnets. Diagonal rods 132 have spacing of SQRT(2) times the long-face spacing. This allows the diagonal rod to align with magnets on the horizontal rods.

FIG. 7 a illustrates a cubic offset 140 in one embodiment of the invention. A cubic offset may be used to add connection strength at a nexus, or it may provide a new place to build, adjacent to a nexus. The offset's sides may have a magnet 142 which can attract to a rod. FIG. 7 b shows an exploded view of a cubic offset. Offsets of different shapes may be used. It may be desirable to match the offset shape with the rod shape. For example, a triangular rod fits well with a pyramidal offset. The offset shown has monopolar (one polarity facing outward) magnets on each face; in one alternative embodiment, the offset has magnetizable metal (metal capable of being attracted by a magnet) on one or more faces.

FIGS. 8 a-b illustrate a complete structure 150 built using rectangular rods, cubic offsets, and platforms. FIG. 8 b is a view of the structure from the opposite side as shown in FIG. 8 a.

FIG. 9 illustrates a rectangular rod 160 with rounded edges 162. Rods, offsets, and platforms can all have rounded edges to protect children from harm while playing.

FIG. 10 illustrates different arrangements of polarities and magnetizable metal on a face of a rod with three monopolar magnets or metal strips on a long face. Analogously, rods with two magnets or metal strips on a long face could have NN, NS, SN, SS, NM, MN, MM, SM, MS, and MM as potential combinations of polarities and metals (N=North, S=South, M=Metal).

Rods do not have to be linear. FIG. 11 a illustrates an L-shaped rod 170 where both segments 172, 174 of the L are equal lengths. FIG. 11 b illustrates an L-shaped rod 180 where one segment 182 is approximately twice as long as the other segment 184. FIG. 11 c illustrates a U-shaped rod 190. FIG. 11 d illustrates a curved rod 200. FIG. 11 e illustrates a “double-L” rod 210 that would define the Cartesian axes.

FIG. 12 illustrates a special support rod 220. This rod is essentially a combination of a rod and a platform, where the rod has a support cross-section at one end.

Alternative embodiments of the invention are also contemplated. For example, magnets do not have to be monopolar on a face. They could be bipolar and they could also be allowed to rotate into alignment.

In addition, magnets could be removable, such as by slipping into a slot. This would allow magnets to be manipulated by the user to make rods, platforms, and offsets attract.

The set is packaged in a box which has different sections for housing the different types of pieces. The box has compartments shaped specifically to match the piece types—there is a section for rods, a section for offsets, and a section for platforms. FIG. 13 a shows the box 230 in one embodiment of the invention. There are slots for packing rods 232, slots for packing platforms 234, and slots for packing offsets 236. Alternatively, the set can be sold without offsets, and a box designed accordingly. FIG. 13 b shows one embodiment of such a box 240. There are slots for packing rods 242, and slots for packing platforms 244.

The box can also come with directions describing how to build interesting structures.

FIG. 14 a shows a displacement rod 250 in one embodiment of the invention. Magnets 252 are near the ends of a long face. In addition, magnetizable metal 254 is attached one cross-section of a rod away from the magnets 252. As shown in FIG. 14 b, by placing magnetizable metal in this manner, a structure 260 can be constructed easily without use of offsets. The magnetizable metal 254 could also be a magnet and accomplish a similar result. A set can be created using only displacement rods with magnets or magnetizable metal one cross-section away from end magnets, or by combining displacement rods and rods without the magnets or magnetizable metal attached one cross-section of a rod away from end magnets.

FIG. 15 a shows another embodiment of a rod under the invention. In this embodiment, magnets 274, 276 are attached approximately midway on a rod. To facilitate construction, the distance between one end magnet 272 and its nearest magnet 274 is equal to the distance between another end magnet 278 and its nearest magnet 276. FIG. 15 b illustrates a structure built using a mixture of rods with two magnets attached approximately midway and rods that do not have two magnets attached approximately midway.

Conclusion

It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the invention have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. 

1. A rod-shaped magnetic toy piece comprising: a rod whose length is substantially greater than each cross-sectional dimension; said rod's cross-section has at least three sides; and magnets are attached on at least two long faces of said rod.
 2. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 1 where a first magnet is attached on the same long face as a second magnet, and where said first magnet is placed near one end of said rod and said second magnet is placed near the opposite end of said rod.
 3. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 2 wherein said first magnet is monopolar and said second magnet is monopolar.
 4. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 3 wherein said first magnet and said second magnet are of the same polarity.
 5. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 4 wherein said first magnet and said second magnet are the same color.
 6. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 3 wherein said rod has rectangular cross-section.
 7. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 1 wherein each long face has exactly two monopolar magnets attached, with a first monopolar magnet attached near one end of said rod and a second monopolar magnet attached near the opposite end of said rod.
 8. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 7 wherein each long face has magnets of the same polarity.
 9. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 8 wherein said rod's cross-section is rectangular.
 10. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 9 wherein a first long face has monopolar magnets of North polarity, a second long face has monopolar magnets of North polarity, a third long face has monopolar magnets of South polarity, and a fourth long face has monopolar magnets of South polarity.
 11. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 10 wherein said first long face is adjacent to said second long face, said second long face is adjacent to said third long face, said third long face is adjacent to said fourth long face, and said fourth long face is adjacent to said first long face.
 12. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 1 wherein at least three magnets are attached on the same long face.
 13. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 1 wherein at least three magnets are attached on the same long face, a first magnet of said at least three magnets is attached near one end of said rod, a second magnet of said at least three magnets is attached near the middle of said rod, and a third magnet of said at least three magnets is attached near the opposite end of said rod.
 14. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 13 wherein said first magnet is monopolar, said second magnet is monopolar, and said third magnet is monopolar.
 15. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 14 wherein said rod has rectangular cross-section.
 16. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 14 wherein all monopolar magnets of North polarity are a first color and all monopolar magnets of South polarity are a second color.
 17. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 1 wherein each long face has exactly three magnets, a first magnet attached near one end of said rod, a second magnet attached near the opposite end of said rod, and a third magnet attached near the middle of said rod.
 18. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 13 wherein said first magnets are monopolar, said second magnets are monopolar, and said third magnets are monopolar.
 19. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 18 where said rod has rectangular cross-section.
 20. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 19 wherein all monopolar magnets of North polarity are a first color and all monopolar magnets of South polarity are a second color.
 21. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 18 wherein each long face has magnets of the same polarity.
 22. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 21 wherein said rod's cross-section is rectangular, a first long face has North polarity magnets, a second long face has North polarity magnets, a third long face has South polarity magnets, and a fourth long face has South polarity magnets.
 23. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 22 wherein said first long face is adjacent to said second long face, said second long face is adjacent to said third long face, said third long face is adjacent to said fourth long face, and said fourth long face is adjacent to said first long face.
 24. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 1 wherein at least four magnets are attached to the same long face.
 25. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 1 wherein at least four magnets are attached on the same long face, a first magnet of said at least four magnets is attached near one end of said rod, a second magnet of said at least four magnets is attached near the opposite end of said rod, and all four magnets are spaced equal distances apart.
 26. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 25 wherein said first magnet is monopolar, said second magnet is monopolar, said third magnet is monopolar, and said fourth magnet is monopolar.
 27. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 26 wherein said rod has rectangular cross-section.
 28. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 26 wherein all monopolar magnets of North polarity are a first color and all monopolar magnets of South polarity are a second color.
 29. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 1 wherein each long face has exactly four magnets, a first magnet attached near one end of said rod, a second magnet attached near the opposite end of said rod, a third magnet and a fourth magnet, where all four magnets are evenly spaced apart.
 30. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 25 wherein said first magnets are monopolar, said second magnets are monopolar, said third magnets are monopolar and said fourth magnets are monopolar.
 31. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 30 where said rod has rectangular cross-section.
 32. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 31 wherein all monopolar magnets of North polarity are a first color and all monopolar magnets of South polarity are a second color.
 33. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 30 wherein each long face has magnets of the same polarity.
 34. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 33 wherein said rod's cross-section is rectangular, a first long face has North polarity magnets, a second long face has North polarity magnets, a third long face has South polarity magnets, and a fourth long face has South polarity magnets.
 35. The rod-shaped magnetic toy piece of claim 34 wherein said first long face is adjacent to said second long face, said second long face is adjacent to said third long face, said third long face is adjacent to said fourth long face, and said fourth long face is adjacent to said first long face.
 36. A magnetic toy construction set comprising a first rod whose length is substantially greater than each cross-sectional dimension, where said first rod has magnets attached on at least two long faces; and a second rod whose length is substantially greater than each cross-sectional dimension, where said second rod has magnets attached on at least two long faces.
 37. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 36 where a long face of said second rod has at least three magnets attached.
 38. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 37 wherein the distance between two magnets on a long face of said first rod is equal to the distance between two magnets on a long face of said second rod.
 39. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 36 wherein said at least two magnets on said first rod and said at least two magnets on said second rod are monopolar.
 40. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 39 wherein said monopolar magnets of the same polarity are the same color.
 41. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 40 wherein the distance between two magnets on a long face of said first rod is equal to the distance between two magnets on a long face of said second rod.
 42. The magnetic toy set of claim 36 further comprising a third rod whose length is substantially greater than each cross-sectional dimension, where a long face of said third rod has at least two magnets attached.
 43. The magnetic toy set of claim 37 further comprising a third rod whose length is substantially greater than each cross-sectional dimension, where a long face of said third rod has at least four magnets attached.
 44. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 43 wherein the distance between two magnets on a long face of said first rod equals the distance between two magnets on a long face of said second rod and the distance between two magnets on a long face of said first rod equals the distance between two magnets on a long face of said third rod.
 45. A magnetic toy construction set comprising a first rod whose length is substantially greater than each cross-sectional dimension, where said first rod has magnets attached on at least two long faces and one long face has exactly two magnets attached; and a second rod whose length is substantially greater than each cross-sectional dimension, where said second rod has magnets attached on at least two long faces and one long face has exactly three magnets attached.
 46. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 45 wherein said first rod has rectangular cross-section and said second rod has rectangular cross-section.
 47. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 45 wherein all long faces of said first rod have exactly two magnets attached and all long faces of said second rod have exactly three magnets attached.
 48. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 47 wherein all adjacent magnets on all long faces of said first rod are spaced equal distances apart as all adjacent magnets on all long faces of said second rod.
 49. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 48 wherein all magnets on all long faces are monopolar and all magnets on all long faces of same polarity are the same color.
 50. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 45 further comprising a third rod whose length is substantially greater than each cross-sectional dimension, where a long face of said third rod has exactly four magnets attached.
 51. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 50 wherein said first rod has rectangular cross-section, said second rod has rectangular cross-section, and said third rod has a rectangular cross-section.
 52. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 50 wherein all long faces of said first rod have exactly two magnets attached, all long faces of said second rod have exactly three magnets attached, and all long faces of said third rod have exactly four magnets attached.
 53. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 52 wherein all adjacent magnets on all long faces of said first rod are spaced equal distances apart as all adjacent magnets on all long faces of said second rod and all adjacent magnets on all long faces of said third rod.
 54. The magnetic toy construction set of claim 48 wherein all magnets on all long faces of said first rod, said second rod, and said third rod are monopolar; and all magnets on all long faces of said first rod, said second rod, and said third rod long faces of same polarity are the same color.
 55. The magnetic toy set of claim 36 further comprising at least one offset block.
 56. The magnetic toy set of claim 41 further comprising at least one offset block.
 57. The magnetic toy set of claim 45 further comprising at least one offset block.
 58. The magnetic toy set of claim 47 further comprising at least one offset block.
 59. The magnetic toy set of claim 49 further comprising at least one offset block.
 60. The magnetic toy set of claim 55 further comprising at least one platform block.
 61. The magnetic toy set of claim 56 further comprising at least one platform block.
 62. The magnetic toy set of claim 57 further comprising at least one platform block.
 63. The magnetic toy set of claim 58 further comprising at least one platform block.
 64. The magnetic toy set of claim 59 further comprising at least one platform block.
 65. The magnetic toy set of claim 36 further comprising at least one platform block.
 66. The magnetic toy set of claim 45 further comprising at least one platform block. 